Newspaper vendors are not eyesores

LETTERS FROM THE AGNO
March L. Fianza

In a statement, the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club said, “For decades, newspaper vendors have proven to be essential to the flow of news and information. They should not be treated as eyesores.” But those who want the newsstands out from the sidewalks think otherwise. That was the reason behind the hullabaloo.
    The uproar was the latest coming from no less than government officials who are supposed to bring peace of mind to the public and not disruption, at a time when everybody is terrified with possible infection from a deadly coronavirus.
    The order for newsstands to vacate Baguio’s sidewalks has disturbed concerned sectors, including allies in news production. The latest conditions set by city officials were for vendors to be given until July 1, 2021 to relocate and follow the plan of a 0.60-meter setback inside an establishment.
    News correspondents for print media had to provide moral support to the newspaper vendors who were ordered to vacate the sidewalks because just like journalists, they were hit hard and were out of work when all printing machines stopped due to the Covid-19 lockdown in March and the months that followed.
    Sometimes, journalists get sideswiped by certain issues that deserve a second look especially when the dispute threatens the existence or source of revenue of people who are allies in terms of work activity such as information dissemination.
    That is why, newspapers in the city published a common editorial, followed by another one in the Philippine Daily Inquirer. BCBC president Aldwin Quitasol said newspaper vendors are also messengers of information, as he appealed to those concerned to “not make their lives more miserable”.
    There is no good judgement in getting rid of newsstands, now viewed as sidewalk obstructions even while we see the pocket-type cabinets lean against the wall of a building. The move is nonsense. Newsstand vendors strive for financial income from adding a few pesos to the newspapers they sell.
    In turn, they pay government permits so they have contributed a considerable amount to the coffers of the city since they occupied the little sidewalk space decades ago. But newsstand vendors are not only selling papers for their livelihood. They are doing a very important service to all of Baguio and suburbs.
    Because of their presence, readers easily get hold of newspapers and immediately become aware of what will happen, what is happening and what has happened. Newspaper vendors have assumed the character of assistant drivers for economic growth in the city and the Cordillera Region.
    By the way, newspaper vendors were tireless and braved cold and rainy days over the years in seeing to it that they sell your favorite national and local newspapers. They are unsung heroes and without them, Baguio would not be what it is today.
The joint editorial by the local newspapers confirmed what has long been observed that people in this region speak English because all the newsstands on the sidewalks that were already there even before the First World War sold more English newspapers.
    The common editorial said, “… you can judge how learned the residents of a city by the number of newsstands on the streets… The opinions and issues raised by these newspapers helped shape the unique nature of our city politics. We would like to say that because of these newspapers, our politics transcended the image and showbiz politics of the other cities.”
    That’s the truth, and there should be no more debate about that. Instead, the city might as well legislate for spaces that are accessible to buyers since there is no ordinance that is removing them from their present spots as of now.
    It appears that the order to evict the newsstand vendors from the sidewalks is a stolen move or a short cut to executing things without the benefit of a law. It looks like those in power are getting used to illegal actions, just like some things that they are implementing that have no legal basis.
    Councilor Mylen Yaranon, said she is writing an ordinance that will not evict the newspaper stands but accommodate them instead by looking for wider areas or redesigning the sidewalks. Certain portions of the sidewalks can be widened to accommodate waiting sheds, senior citizen benches and newsstands, she said.
    Aside from the statements by newsmen in their pooled editorial and their support to the newspaper vendors, the move to make things legal by way of a city ordinance is commendable. It stops the debate, eases the tension and reminds people in authority to not abuse their power.
    Despite the information on the internet, newsstands remained on the sidewalks because they have become part of the landscape. Also, in the Cordillera Region and many parts of the country, internet connection is not available.
    That is why people always find time to rush to newsstands for their favorite newspaper. In fact, they grab bus rides from their home provinces just to reach the nearest newsstand. Then they take the same bus home but on that ride the newspaper passes from one passenger to another.
    The eagerness to hold a copy of one’s favorite news publication as sold by the newspaper stand vendors everyday has not diminished.